As you may have already assumed, the divorce process is no walk in the park. You must prepare for the fact that it may be emotionally and financially draining, and there is a long sequence of steps that you cannot bypass. With that being said, follow along to find out how long until your divorce can be finalized and how a proficient Manhattan divorce attorney at Zimmet Law Group, P.C. can help make the process as efficient as possible.
What are the New York residency requirements for divorce?
Before you can even start your divorce process, you may have to confirm that you meet the strict residency requirements for divorce set out by New York law. That is, you or your spouse must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- You and your spouse held your marriage ceremony in New York, and either one of you has been living in the state for a continuous year before filing for divorce.
- You and your spouse lived in New York as a married couple, and either one of you has been living in the state for a continuous year before filing for divorce.
- Your or your spouse’s grounds for divorce occurred in New York, and either one of you has been living in the state for a continuous year before filing for divorce.
- Your or your spouse’s grounds for divorce occurred in New York, and both of you live in the state when filing for divorce.
- You or your spouse lived in New York for a continuous two years before filing for divorce.
How long until my divorce can be finalized in New York?
To reiterate, it may take you or your spouse a year or more to meet the residency requirements for divorce in New York. From here, it may take you and your spouse an additional six weeks to one year or longer to get your divorce finalized in New York. This countdown starts on the date you or your spouse file the Complaint for Divorce and ends on the date the family judge issues the Final Judgment for Divorce.
Essentially, this timeline greatly varies amongst uncontested and contested divorce proceedings. It also depends on the specific divorce-related issues of any given couple. For example, it may be easier for you and your spouse to finalize your divorce if you do not have any children together and thereby do not need to settle child custody or child support arrangements. On the other hand, it may be more complicated for you and your spouse to finalize your divorce if you are high-net-worth individuals who need to divvy up your high-value, complex assets.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact one of the talented New York City matrimonial and family law attorneys. Schedule your initial consultation with Zimmet Law Group, P.C. today.